Crime & Safety
Massive Gas Explosion Critically Injures Man In Union City
It was not natural gas, or gasoline that blew off the roof and interior sheetrock, according to the fire department
UNION CITY, CA — A gas explosion "basically" blew the roof off a Union City home Monday night, an Alameda County Fire Department division chief said.
Chief Alan Evans said firefighters got called at 8:03 p.m. to a medical situation at 32436 Elizabeth Way. On their way, crews received an update and the fire captain determined an explosion had occurred.
When firefighters arrived they found a man with burns who is now fighting for his life.
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Four other people were at the home and one suffered minor injuries.
Evans said the home sustained major damage and likely will be marked uninhabitable at least until repairs are made.
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"It was a massive explosion," Evans said.
He said it blew out exterior windows, blew sheetrock off walls and ceilings. Some exterior walls are bowing out, he said. Interior doors were blown off the doorjambs.
Evans said nothing caught fire because the explosion was so large.
The blast was sparked by a three and a half gallon container of refrigerant inside the home that found an ignition source, Evans said. The refrigerant contained butane. Firefighters only know that gas was coming out of the container not why. He said it's not normal to have these containers inside. He compared them to propane tanks for barbecue grills, which are typically five gallons in size.
Evans said both Union City police and the bomb squad from the Alameda County Sheriff's Department responded. He doesn't believe police found anything criminal.
The bomb squad removed the containers from the home.
The family is going to live in a recreational vehicle on the property for now, Evans said.
— Bay City News
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